Navasana

Navasana

Full Boat Pose

The body comes into a V-shape, balancing entirely on the buttocks. In different variations and traditions, the arms legs and torso may take different positions. In Paripurna Navasana, the legs and back are lifted high and arms extend forward and parallel to the ground. In Arda Navasana, hands interlace behind the neck and both back and shoulders are closer to the ground.

Procedure:

"Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Press your hands on the floor a little behind your hips, fingers pointing toward the feet, and strengthen the arms. Lift through the top of the sternum and lean back slightly. As you do this make sure your back doesn't round; continue to lengthen the front of your torso between the pubis and top sternum. Sit on the ""tripod"" of your two sitting bones and tailbone. Exhale and bend your knees, then lift your feet off the floor, so that the thighs are angled about 45-50 degrees relative to the floor. Lengthen your tailbone into the floor and lift your pubis toward your navel. If possible, slowly straighten your knees, raising the tips of your toes slightly above the level of your eyes. If this isn't possible remain with your knees bent, perhaps lifting the shins parallel to the floor. Stretch your arms alongside the legs, parallel to each other and the floor. Spread the shoulder blades across your back and reach strongly out through the fingers. If this isn't possible, keep the hands on the floor beside your hips or hold on to the backs of your thighs.While the lower belly should be firm, it shouldn't get hard and thick. Try to keep the lower belly relatively flat. Press the heads of the thigh bones toward the floor to help anchor the pose and lift the top sternum. Breathe easily. Tip the chin slightly toward the sternum so the base of the skull lifts lightly away from the back of the neck. At first stay in the pose for 10-20 seconds. Gradually increase the time of your stay to 1 minute. Release the legs with an exhalation and sit upright on an inhalation.
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Benefits:

"1. Performing the pose helps strengthen the core muscles of the abdomen.
2. The pose stretches and strengthens the hips flexors.
3. It also helps in stretching the hamstrings.
4. It helps improve alignment by stretching the spine.
5. The pose helps tone the small and large intestines.
6. It also strengthens the lower back muscles. "

Precautions:

" Women who are menstruating or are pregnant should avoid the pose as well.
If you tend to suffer from neck problems or have had a recent neck injury, perform the Full Boat Pose against a wall to prevent neck strain. In such situations you can rest your head against the wall as you extend your legs in front of you. Always practice this pose under the supervision of a trained instructor if you are a beginner or have suffered any recent injury to any of your body parts. "

Position:

Before performing the Paripurna Navasana you could perform some of the other poses so that your body is prepared well to perform the Full Boat Pose. Some of these poses include